Cinematography



N. MILLER CINEMATQGRAPHY Filed arch 10 March 24, 1925.

8 Sheet$-$heet 1 [nvenor I WMMM I N. MILLER CINEMATOGRAPHY March 24, 1925.

8 Sheet-Sheet 5 Filed March 10 1919 Mia 54% March 24, 1925.

N. MULLER GINEMATOGRAPHY ins-Sheet Filed March 10 1919 Much 24, 1925. 1,530,903

- N. MILLER CINEMATOGRAPHY Filed March 10 1 919 8 Sheet-Sheet 6 Fig. 4.

March 24, 1925.

N. MILLER CINEIATOGRAPHY Filed March 10, p919 Patented 24, 1925.

units!) STATES NICHOLAS MILLER, OF GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

CINEIVIAT OGRAPHY.

Application filed March 10, 1919.

T 0 aZZ w 7mm it may concern Be it known that I, NIoHoLAs FIILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cinematography, of which the followin is a specification.

The present invention relates to the class of cinematographic apparatus in which the object or film is uninterruptedly and continuously moved during its projection, the system including compensating optical elements causing the moving object on the film to be projected as a stationary image. To this end the invention embodies whereby a high degree of precision in optical compensation is obtained and by the employment of a less number of optical elements than has heretofore been necessary in related types of apparatus. The present invention further provides a light controlling system whereby the light directed from a source is distributed to the picture images on the film and to the several optical elements and a uniform illumination of the individual picture images is obtained, also other important advantages hereinafter to be described.

It is well known that the successive images on standard commercial films vary somewhat in pitch, that is, the distance between corresponding points of two adjacent picture images. This difference results from the use of different makes of apparatus used in the manufacturing of films, from the lack of uniformity of the different devices, from the varying shrinkage of the different films under varying treatments in the process of manufacture and other causes and is unavoidable.

Optical projectors as heretofore constructed are adapted to project picture images of lined pitch only and any variation in pitch is accon'ipanied by unsteadiness of the projected image. The present invention is provided with a simple adjustable device whereby, differences in pitch of picture images are compensated for, permitting the steady projection of images of varying pitch.

in the accompanying drawings Figure 1 anmaticall represents a sectional view 1 i X in Figure 2.

igure 2 ircpresents a diagra n illustr. t-

Serial No. 281,68-2.

Figure 3 is a further diagrammatic representation of some of the principles applied in the present invention.

Figure 1 is a front view of one form of the apparatus.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of Figure i, on line YY.

Figure (5 is another diagr. mmatic representation of some of the principles involved in the present invention.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of Figure 6 on line OX.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing the reflection of the rays of the device shown in Fig ure 1.

Figure 9 is a partial front view of another modification of this invention as viewed in direction ZZ, Figure 10.

Figure 10 is a partial sectional view of Figure 9 along line XX.

Figure 11 diagrammatically illustrates the principles involved in Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic representation of the reflection of rays as it applies to Figures 9, 10 and 11.

Figure 13 is a partial rear view of the light controlling s stem in the direction XX in Figure 10.

Figure 14 diagrammatically illus rates the principles of the light controlling system embodied in the form of the invention represented by Figures 9 and 10.

Figure 15 is a partial sectional view of an other form of his invention taken on lines XX, YY and ZZ of Figures 17, 18 and 20 respectively.

Figure 15 is a detail perspective view of prism 88, Figures 15 and 17.

Figure 16 is a partial side view of a portion of Figure 15 viewed in direction YY, Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a partial sectional view taken in direction XX, Figure 15.

Figure 18 is partial sectional view taken on line ZZ, Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a diagrannnatic illustration of the principles involved in compensating prism 88 in Figure 17. 7

Figure 19 diagrammatically illustrates the light controlling system as applied to the device represented in Figures 15 and 11".

Figure 20 is a partial section on line Wil Figure 15.

Figure 20 is a detail view of arms 109, Figures 15 and 20.

Figure 21 is a diagrznnmatic representation of the principles underlying the optical compensation as applied to Figures 15 and 17.

Figure 22 is a sectional view on line XX, Figure 21.

Figure 23 is a diagram similar to Figure 21 and illustrates the reflection of rays.

Figure 24 is a diagrammatic illustration further showing the principles applied in Figures 15 and 17 Figure 25 is another diagram illustrating the principles of compensation applied to prism 88, Figures 15 and 17.

In Figure 2, let M and M represent two positions of a line object parallel to the plane of the paper and situated in a straight line. Also let R and R represent two parallel reflectors, then the virtual image of M produced by E and R will be situated on a line which is perpendicular to R and R and at a distance from the object equal to twice the distance between the reflectors R and B Thus if M represents the virtual image, then distance M M is equal to twice the distance R, R and the virtual image Iv is parallel to the object M N ow let the object M move to M and let it be desired to produce a virtual image or M by another pair of parallel reflectors and in such a manner that it shall coincide with the previously produced virtual image M. Then obviously the reflectors must be perpendicular to a line joining M and M and be at a distance apart equal to one half the distance between the object M and image M or, distance Mld is equal to twice the distance R R The reflection of rays tromM is shown in Figure 1 which shows a top view of M M E E and emergent ray from E is seen to virtually proceed from M.

In applying the related principles to optical projection of cinematographic film images a number of problems present themselves. The first problem is to cause a virtual image, of a film image moving in a plane, to remain stationary during a predetermined movement of said fihn image. Thus if reflectors R R are displaced in unison with M in such a manner, that they continuously become perpendicular to a line passing through the moving object M and the corresponding point of the desired virftual image M and if the distance between said reflectors continuously becomes equal to one half the distance between the corresponding points of M and M then the virtual image M will be stationary during the motion of the object M Thus it is seen that to cause the virtual image of a moving object to be arrested by a pair of parallel reflectors, it is necessary to continuously change the relative angular position of the reflectors, the distance between them, and in unison with the moving film image. In the following discussion let the distance between the reflectors R and R and between the re flectors R and R be represented by al and d respectively. Then the distances between the corresponding object and its virtual image will be represented by 2 and 2 Now, if line M M X is perpencicular to the line of objects M M we have 2 2 /cos 6 and d d /cos 0. In Figure 3 let G and 0 be the centers of two similar regular polygons, and let E and R and R and R represent two sides of the poly ons respectively. Let the line 0 O extended be perpendicular to R and R Let 0R be perpendicular to E and be represented by T and similarly 0 R be represented by T Also let perpendicular distance between reflectors R and R be represented by (Z and between reflectors R and R be represented by d Let distance between centers 0 0 be represented by 6, then d :r r e and cZ :r r e cos 0 chosen to satisfy the given conditions. An; advantageous arrangement 15 obtained when the angle 0 in Figure 3 is equal to the anglef between corresponding cent film images and their corresponding common virtual image. This is represented in Figure 6. The three pairs of reflectors will simultaneously reflect the three successive film images with a common virtual image. Also, it a single film image as M is assumed to move at uniform rate continuously and occupy successive positions M and M and if a pair of parallel reflectors R R moves in unison with the film image and si points of two adja-;

multaneously occupies corresponding posi-;

and R then it will be ap tions R parent that "for th HE successive positions the corresponding lutely coincide, and when such is the case, then for intermediate positions the coincidence will generally be sufficiently precise for all practical purposes. Figure 7 shows the reflection of rays and the manner in which the virtual image M may be projected by an objective L. It is to be observed that the plane of the object or film may be inclined to the reflectors as shown in dotted lines, and that the plane of the virtual image is at right angles to the optic axis. In practice, if the aoerture for the film ima 'es is equal in length to one L image, then one complete image will be rojected continuously, the successive filll images dissolving one in o the other. It the L tl virtual images will abso- 1 oicture Pecfed.

1 mounted tinuwhich the .L n v i I V 1 v, 1 e

axis 44, which is supported in bearings 45 and 46, said bearings being integral with base 47, Figure 9. Another totally reflecting prism 46 is disposed between reflectors 41 and 42 and 1s ri idly suoported bv mem- 1 i p 1 a oers 48 and 49 wliicn are rastened to an upwardly pro ecting lug 47 10) which is integral with base 47. Ptll'b of support 18 provided with teeth forming sprocliet 43 for engaging perforation of film 50. 5-1 18 a fined reflector opposite reflecting prism 46. 52 is the objective and 53 is a totallyv reflecting prism for directin the light rays upon images at 50 The i -ciple of operation is illustrated in diagrams 11 and 12. In Figure 11. 50 represents the virtual image of the film image 50 by refiector 51 in Figure 10. The image rays proceed "from 50 to refiecting prism 42 ant. to fined prism 46 and reflecting prism 41. 42 represents the virtual image of reflecting prism 42 by fixed prism 46, and 50 is the virtual ima 0t 5O by prism 46. prism 46 is to cause the film image rays to proceed virtually from 50 and to displace reflecting prism 42 virtually to be noticed tha reflecting prism 42 is displaced parallel to itself and nearer tl e refleet-ing prism 41, said displacement oeing caused by the refractive properties of prism 46. Hence the final effect of the combination is equivalent to the film image being positioned at 50 and reflecting prism 42 at 42 with respect to reflecting prism 41 and objective 52.

In Figure 12 let 0 represent the axis 01' the revolving refiectors 41 shown in Figure 9, then U will represent the virtual axis of revolving reflectors 42 as produced by fixed prism 46 thus the virtual images of reflectors 42 which are within the range o1 prism 46 will be refiectct as a polygon of reflectors with a virtual center at r. U. Hence virtual reflectors 42 and reflectors 41 will be parallel in pairs and as they revolve about diiierent fixed centers 0 and 0 the distance between said parallel pairs of reflectors will progressively change. it will be observed that this diagram is substantially the same as the diagram shown in Figure 8, the eccentricity G, having been obtained optically.

One of the many ditliculties to be overcome with optical projectors or" the class described is encountered in illuminating the film image. ihere are three important conditions that must be met by a satisfactory lighting system. First, the successive film images must be illuminated with substantial uniformity over the entire picture area and this uniformity should be maintained dur ing the passage of the film in the activ zone. Second, the compensating reflectors corresponding to a picture image should re ceive rays only from said image and no rays Thus the effect of fixed lit will from any adjacent picture images. It said reflectors receive rays proceeding from an adjacent picture image, such image will appear wholly or in part on the screen above below the desired screen image, or produce confusion of rays and consequent blurring 01 the screen image, this being further the cause of considerable loss in light.

Third. for clear ro ection the image of the as a bearing for shaft 44 and as a support for a revolvin member 58. Reflectin b a prisms 59 are pivotally supported upon member 58 by support pieces (30 and screws Supports 60 are provided with rollers 60 which cooperate with a cam 62 which is secured to frame 47'. Springs 60 maintain contact between rollers 60 and cam 62. Shaft 4 ovided with a gear 63 in mesh (34 which is mounted upon a itably supported by frame 4?.

Shaft 6 5* is also provided with another gear with an idler gear 65 rotatably rted on frame 47. Idler gear 65 in e Gears 63 and 58 e size as are also gears 64 and aence th rotation of shaft 44 will cause rotation of neirber 58 at the same rate speed but in the opposite direction.

56, and 57 represent fixed lense The principles involved are illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 14. the essential elements are represented along a straight line in their proper order, all non essential elements being omitted. Light rays from source 55 are incident upon lens 56 and are converged upon light controlling retleo tors or reflecting prisms 59 which direct the light through lens 66. The combined focal lengths of lenses 56 and 66 are such that they form an image of the source at '50", and the successive angular positions, 59, 59 and 59-- assumed by the light controlling reflectors successively shift the image of the source from 70 to 70 and 70. Also, it 59, 59 and 59 represent three adjacent reflectors then 70, 70 and 70 represent corresponding images of the source formed by their respective reflectors. 59 59 and 59 are the virtual images of renectors 59*, 59 and 59 as formed oy lens 66. Lens 57 has lLS focal point E and it is so positioned relative to the film images 50, 50 and 50 and objective 52 that it will superpose real images of redoctors 59?. 59 and 59 upon the said fihn images, and project the images of the source 1 t the sam in this diagram all 1 70 t1l 70 into the first nodal plane of the objective 0. '71, 71 and 71.

ll 1 znt 4:1 and 4-2, LE and 42 rephe com ensating reflectors. It will be observed that the i1 go of th source 7 corresp nding to a light controlling refleccontains only rays that a"e ncident ipon and reflected by said reflec and therefore images of said reflector and of said image 'ource produce Leously (by lens Will be cc rec r s common to both of these images. it a real image of a light controlli; O 59 is superposed upon a iilm iin 50 and it simulta neously a real image of a corresponding 1 d siriu ted ima e source is produced L "i then all 'assing through 59 are locusec t e independent or separate from a; g th 'ough an adjacent film image lence only rays corresponding to their inages vvill be incident upon reflectors. In the present anangemenu the number of light controlling reflectors is eoual to the number oi": pairs pensatintg reflectors and they travel in onpositc oirec ions. It is to be observed that in the v of single lenses 56, (35, etc, a system 0 lenses may be employed and that many modii cations in the present arrangement can be nade Without deviating from the principles in olved.

in Figr another modification notand 22 of the invention is die grammatically illustrated. Here 0 represents the center of a regular polygon vrith sides of reflecting surfaces 75, T6 and 77. 80 'epie its a right a igl worn i 5 r fleet n ct its corresponding a pair or parallel reflectors and that they are maintained in parallel relation during their revolution about their respective axes and that the distance between said reflector plane and its corresponding virtual image continuously varies.

In Figure 22 the reflector 80 produces an effect equivalent to two pa allel reflec tors positioned at 76 and 76 Let the distance O O be equa to c and let- O77 he perpendicular to reflector 7? and let it be represented by 1. Also let the perpendicular distance between reflector 7i and its corresponding virtual image 77 be represented by (Z. Then it can be shown that (Z:2r'c cos 6.

In Figure 2% lot 81 represent an objective and 1 its nodal point of emergence and let lll Ill and hi represent three successive positions of picture images formed by said objective 81. Also let R R and R R be iairs of parallel reflectors positioned in path of image 'ays corresponding to image wi and M respectively. T ien images M and "1 will be reflected to a position M provided the distance between R R is equal to one half of distance M M and that said re- 'e perpendicular to line H M exflectors tended, and, the distance between reflectors R 11 is equal to one half the distance M 2313 and that said reflectors are perpendicular to line ll extended.

Thus it is evident that in place of the reflectors in Figure 2%, the system of reflectors illustratec and described in connection with Figures 21, 22 ant 23 may be substituted and it Will further be apparent that With such an arrangement it is possible to obtain absolute compensation for at least three successive positions of a picture image, said successive image positions are preferably chosen to correspond to three adjacent image posi tions i M and and when such is the case, the compensation Wlll generally be sutflciently accurate for all intermediate positions.

From the foregoing it is obvious that M M and M may represent three adjacent picture images and that all of said images can be reflected at M in superposed relation, thus obtaining a most satisfactory method for the blending of colors of adjacent picture images according to the primary color principle.

It is to be observed in Figure that reflector surfaces 76 and 76 need not be situated in the ame plane but may be situated in parallel planes as illustrated in dotted lines at 76. In this case reflector 76 and 76 would be the sides of tWO simila regular polygons arranged concentrically about a common 2 s Such. an arrangement perinits greater .atitnde in calculating the optical con'igensatien given set or" conditions.

lt is well inovvn that images on different commercial films vary somewhat and therefore it is desirable to adopt a device of this nature to accommodate films of different spacings. In connection with Figure 2 1 it has been explained that there is av definite relation between the adjacent picture images and the corresponding reflector planes, for the precise maintenance of a stationary image at M. Hence it follows that if the distance between adjacent picture images on the film varies, there has to be a cor esponding change in the relations of successive pairs of reflectors. In Figure 25, let M and M represent the centers of two adjacent images and let M represent their common image position as explained in connection with Figure 2st. Also let N and M represent the centers of two adjacent images differing from M M Then if a corresponding image position M is so selected that line M M is parallel to line In M it follows that in changing the relation of the reflectors it is necessary to alter only the relative distance between them, their angular position remaining unchanged.

This can conveniently be accomplished by the shifting of reflector with its vertex on line 0 O. In Figure 18, by shifting reflector 80 to 80 the virtual image of the reflectors is correspondingly shifted chang? ing the efiective distance between the corr sponding parallel reflectors, and thereby compensating for the variation between adjacent picture images of different film -s.

In Figures 15 and 17, on a revolving support 85, reflectors 86 are mounted. S8 is a totally rejecting prism adjustably mounted upon a slide 89 (Figure 10) which is provided with teeth 83 and adapted to cooperate with a pinion 90 which is actuated through a knurled knob 90*. A sprocket is fixed upon axis 8. and the film 96 is guided by rollers 07, 98, 99, 100 and 10 which are fixed relative to the frame M Figures 17 and 18.

101 is an objective and 102 a fixed prism. 103 is a divergent lens for enlarging the image formed by objective 101. Prism 88 is a right angular wedge cut from the frustum of a double cone and it permits the incident and emergent rays to enter and emerge at substantially right angles to the refracting surface. (See also Figure 15 In Figure 15 the picture rays are successively directed to fixed reflecting prisms 91 and 92, to objective 101, to revolving reflectors 86, to reflecting prism 88, to revolving reflectors 86, to fixed reflector 93, to fixed prisms 102 and to enlarging lens 103. Objective 101 corresponds to objective 81 in Figure 2 1, and re ectors 86 to refiectors 75,

1'6 77, and right angle rcnecting prism 88 to right angled reflector 80, in Figures 21, 22, 23 and 18 Lens 10.3 serves to magnify the arrested image M, Figure 24;, which may be projected and viewed on the screen.

In the discussion of the functions of prism 88 in connection with the diagrams, the refractive efi' ect of glass has been neglected for the sake of simplicity. It is to be observed that prism 88 is adjustable during the operation of the device.

The manipulation of the light is obtained by a series of reflecting prisms 105 which are rotatably mounted upon a support 106, said support being directly mounted on axis 87, and revolving in a bearing 9% which is integral with 94 and base 94. The individual reflecting prisms 105 are controlled by fixed cam 107 cooperating with roller 108 of arms 109 which are in a fixed relation to reflecting prisms 105. Light rays from the source 110 are directed to a lens L fixed prism 111, reflecting prism 105, lenses L and L reflecting prisms 112 and 112 and lens L The object is to split the volume of light into adjacent sectional volumes of light by reflectors 105, focus the images of said reflectors upon the film images 96*, and the image of the source into the nodal plane of incidence of objective 101, and to move the said images of reflectors 105 in unison and synchronism with film images 90. In accomplishing this there will result (1) a uni form illumination of a film image during its effective travel past the objective or the uniform illumination of adjacent film images simultaneously. Clearness of the projected image since the rays of adjacent picture images are maintained continuously separated, preventing the confusion of the projected images and insuring mariimum economy in light. (3) Good definition of the projected image.

It is to bG-ObSQlVECl that in this arrangement the final images of the film and of the source travels in the same direction, allowing the reflectors 105 tobe mounted directly upon axis 87, Figure 15, and it also permits a. close adjustment of the relative sizes of the final reflector images and the final images of the source.

In the diagrammatic illustration in Figure 19. all unessential optical elements are omitted. F F and F represent the focal points of lenses L L and L respectively. Lens L forms an image of the source at 5 which is reflected by reflectors 105 into lens L forming images S The combined focal length of lenses I and L is such as to focus the images S into the nodal plane of incidence of objective 105 are the virtual images of reflectors 105 formed by lens I1 and said ima es 105 are projected by lens L to 105 and said images 105 are superposeupon film images 90* by lens I1 It to be noted that reflectors 105 and film images 96* travel in opposite directions.

In place of simple lenses. systems of for adapting the apparatus to the projection or" differently spaced picture images, said last recited means being adjustable during th operation of the device.

12. in a cinematographic apparatus, a series of picture images, a series of compensating optical devices, a source of light, a series of optical elements one for each. one of said compensating optical devices for directing the light rays successively to the picture images and to the compensating optical devices, the area of each of said optical elements being substantially limited to a section or the marginal rays belonging to a picture image, and means for moving the picture images the con'ipensating optical, devices and optical elements in unison.

13. In cinematographic apparatus, a series of picture images, a plurality 0t coirpensating reflectors revolving about a common axis, a plurality of optical elements one for each one ot said compensating reflectors, a source oi light, means for moving the optical elements through the path light and at the same angular velocity as the compensating reflectors, for directing light rays successively to the picture and corresponding compensating reflectors, and means tor moving the picture in unison with the compensating reflect rs.

In a cine at graphic apparat s, a series of picture images, a plurality of compensating optical devices, a source of light, a plurality of optical elements adapted to move through the path of ligl t, "for direct ing light rays upon the picture hinges and the compensating reflectors, means "for inrparting to each of said optical elements, and other and diiierentmovement during their travel through the path of light. means for moving the picture images, the compensating optical devi es and the optical elements in unison.

15. In cinematographic apparatus, a series of picture images, a plurality of compensating reflectors revolving about an axis, a source of light, plurality of optical elements revolving about an axis for directing light rays to the picture images and t 1c compensating reflectors, means for imparting to each of said optical element an independent rocking mo cment, during their movenent through the path of li ht, and means "or moving the aicture images. the compensating reflectors and the optical elements in unison.

16. in a cinematographic a series of picture images, a se ipensatino' reflectors, source of of optics sucstan" all; section or the mar- 1. g nal rays a picture nneg means for revolving the compensating reflectors and optical elements about a comion axis and in unison with the movement of: the picture images.

ii". In combination with a cinematograph, source of light, a series of optical elements adapted to receive the light rays; a series or picture images, a plurality of optical compensating devices and means for moving the optical elements, the picture images and the optical compensating devices in unison; a lens 'oisposed between the opti al elements and tie picture images for focusing an image of the optical elements substantially upon the picture images during their ettective travel.

18, ln combination with a oinematograph, a source out light, a series of optical elements adapted to direct the light rays; a series of picture a plurality of optical compensating devices, ano means for moving the optical elements, the picture images and the optical co pcnsating devices in unison; a lens positioned with one of its nodal planes substantially upon, or in close proximity of the picture images, and another lens positioned to receive the rays from the optical elements and to project an image of the optical elements substantially upon the other nodal plane of the first mentioned lens.

19. in combination with a cinematograph, a source of light, a series or" optical elements for directing the light rays; a series of picture images, a plurality of optical compensating devices and means for moving the optical elements, the picture images and the optical compensating devices in unison; an objective, a lens system for receiving the di- -eeted rays from the optical elements, and or projecting the images of the optical elenents substantially upon the picture images,

i an image or im es of the source upon e no al plane of incidence or" the objective. 20. in a cinematographic apparatus, means for moving a series or" picture images in unison with a plurality or" compensating optical devices, a source of light, means for separating the light rays into adjacent portions corresponding to the film images, means for projecting images of the separating means upon the picture images, said means for separating the light rays being adapted to maintain the picture rays corresponding to the different picture images independent of each other.

21. in cinematographic apparatus,

means for moving a series of picture images in unison with a plurality of compensating otical devices, a source of light, an object ve, means for separating the light rays into Vent portions, means for focusing the upon the film images, said separating means in the picture images, and provision for directing the source or images of the source substantially to the nodal plane of incidence of the objective.

22. In a cinematographic apparatus, means for moving a series of picture images in unison with a plurality of compensating optical devices, a source of light, a series of optical elements adapted to cooperate with the source of light to separate the light into adjacent portions, means for focusing said optical elements upon corresponding picture images, means for moving said optical elements in synchronism with the picture images and the compensating optical devices, said optical elements being adapted tomaintain the separation of the difierent picture rays.

23. In a cinematographic apparatus,

means for moving a series of picture images in unison with a plurality of compensating optical devices, a source of light, an objective, a plurality of optical elements disposed in the path of light and adapted to separate the light into sections of light, means for focusing an image of said optical elements upon corresponding picture images and means for moving the focused images in synchronism with said picture images and provision for directing an image or images of the source into the nodal plane of incidence of the objective.

NICHOLAS MILLER. -Witnesses HARRY A. Co'r'roN, LOUISE S. BURTON. 

